Bicyclic compounds as ATX inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The invention provides novel compounds having the general formula (I) 
                         
wherein R 1 , R 2 , Y, W, m, n, p and q are as defined herein, compositions including the compounds and methods of using the compounds.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/933,731, filed Mar. 23, 2018, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/072349, filed Sep. 21, 2016, claiming priority to EP Application No. 15186684.5, filed Sep. 24, 2015, each of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to organic compounds useful for therapy or prophylaxis in a mammal, and in particular to autotaxin (ATX) inhibitors which are inhibitors of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) production and thus modulators of LPA levels and associated signaling, for the treatment or prophylaxis of renal conditions, liver conditions, inflammatory conditions, conditions of the nervous system, conditions of the respiratory system, vascular and cardiovascular conditions, fibrotic diseases, cancer, ocular conditions, metabolic conditions, cholestatic and other forms of chronic pruritus and acute and chronic organ transplant rejection.

The present invention provides novel compounds of formula (I)

-   -   wherein     -   R¹ is substituted phenyl, substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         substituted phenoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl,         substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted pyridinyl,         substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted         pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl,         substituted thiophenyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl or substituted         thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, wherein substituted phenyl, substituted         phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted         phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl,         substituted pyridinyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted         pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted thiophenyl, substituted         thiophenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl and         substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl are substituted by R³, R⁴         and R⁵;     -   Y is —OC(O)— or —C(O)—;     -   W is —C(O)—, —S(O)₂— or —CR⁶R⁷—;     -   R² is selected from the ring systems B, F, L, M, O, Z, AF, AG,         AH, AJ, AN, AO, AP, AQ, AR, AS, AT, AU, AV, AW, AX, AY, AZ, BA,         BC and BD;

-   -   R³ is halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy,         C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         hydroxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkylamino,         C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₃₋₈-cycloalkylcarbonylamino,         C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or         heterocycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxy,         cyano, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl,         C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or heterocycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy;     -   R⁶ is H or C₁₋₆-alkyl;     -   R⁷ is H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, halogen, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy;     -   m, n, p and q are independently selected from 1 or 2;     -   r is 1, 2 or 3;     -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Autotaxin (ATX) is a secreted enzyme also called ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 2 or lysophospholipase D that is important for converting lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC) to the bioactive signaling molecule lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). It has been shown that plasma LPA levels are well correlated with ATX activity and hence ATX is believed to be an important source of extracellular LPA. Early experiments with a prototype ATX inhibitor have shown that such a compound is able to inhibit the LPA synthesizing activity in mouse plasma. Work conducted in the 1970s and early 1980s has demonstrated that LPA can elicit a wide range of cellular responses; including smooth muscle cell contraction, platelet activation, cell proliferation, chemotaxis and others. LPA mediates its effects via signaling to several G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs); the first members were originally denoted Edg (endothelial cell differentiation gene) receptors or ventricular zone gene-1(vzg-1) but are now called LPA receptors. The prototypic group now consists of LPA1/Edg-2/VZG-1, LPA2/Edg-4, and LPA3/Edg-7. Recently, three additional LPA receptors LPA4/p2y9/GPR23, LPA5/GPR92 and LPA6/p2Y5 have been described that are more closely related to nucleotide-selective purinergic receptors than to the prototypic LPA1-3 receptors. The ATX-LPA signaling axis is involved in a large range of physiological and pathophysiological functions, including, for example, nervous system function, vascular development, cardiovascular physiology, reproduction, immune system function, chronic inflammation, tumor metastasis and progression, organ fibrosis as well as obesity and/or other metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Therefore, increased activity of ATX and/or increased levels of LPA, altered LPA receptor expression and altered responses to LPA may contribute to the initiation, progression and/or outcome of a number of different pathophysiological conditions related to the ATX/LPA axis.

In accordance with the invention, the compounds of formula (I) or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters can be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases, disorders or conditions that are associated with the activity of autotaxin and/or the biological activity of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA).

The compounds of formula (I) or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters herein inhibit autotaxin activity and therefore inhibit LPA production and modulate LPA levels and associated signaling. Autotaxin inhibitors described herein are useful as agents for the treatment or prevention of diseases or conditions in which ATX activity and/or LPA signaling participates, is involved in the etiology or pathology of the disease, or is otherwise associated with at least one symptom of the disease. The ATX-LPA axis has been implicated for example in angiogenesis, chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, fibrotic diseases, cancer and tumor metastasis and progression, ocular conditions, metabolic conditions such as obesity and/or diabetes mellitus, conditions such as cholestatic or other forms of chronic pruritus as well as acute and chronic organ transplant rejection.

Objects of the present invention are the compounds of formula (I) and their aforementioned salts and esters and their use as therapeutically active substances, a process for the manufacture of the said compounds, intermediates, pharmaceutical compositions, medicaments containing the said compounds, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters, the use of the said compounds, salts or esters for the treatment or prophylaxis of disorders or conditions that are associated with the activity of ATX and/or the biological activity of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), particularly in the treatment or prophylaxis of renal conditions, liver conditions, inflammatory conditions, conditions of the nervous system, conditions of the respiratory system, vascular and cardiovascular conditions, fibrotic diseases, cancer, ocular conditions, metabolic conditions, cholestatic and other forms of chronic pruritus and acute and chronic organ transplant rejection, and the use of the said compounds, salts or esters for the production of medicaments for the treatment or prophylaxis of renal conditions, liver conditions, inflammatory conditions, conditions of the nervous system, conditions of the respiratory system, vascular and cardiovascular conditions, fibrotic diseases, cancer, ocular conditions, metabolic conditions, cholestatic and other forms of chronic pruritus and acute and chronic organ transplant rejection. More particularly, the compounds of formula (I) and their aforementioned salts and esters and their use as therapeutically active substances, a process for the manufacture of the said compounds, intermediates, pharmaceutical compositions, medicaments containing the said compounds, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters, the use of the said compounds, salts or esters for the treatment or prophylaxis of ocular conditions, furthermore particularly glaucoma.

The term “C₁₋₆-alkoxy” denotes a group of the formula —O—R′, wherein R′ is an C₁₋₆-alkyl group. Examples of C₁₋₆-alkoxy group include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy and tert-butoxy. Particular example is methoxy.

The term “C₂₋₆-alkenyl” denotes a monovalent linear or branched hydrocarbon group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms with at least one double bond. Particular example is ethylenyl.

The term “C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkyl group wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms of the C₁₋₆-alkyl group is replaced by a C₁₋₆-alkoxy group. Particular examples are methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxymethyl, ethoxyethyl, iso-propoxymethyl and iso-propoxyethyl.

The term “C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes a monovalent linear or branched saturated hydrocarbon group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of C₁₋₆-alkyl include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl and pentyl. Particular alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and sec-butyl.

The term “C₁₋₆-alkylamino” a group of the formula —NH—R′, wherein R′ is an C₁₋₆-alkyl group. Particular C₁₋₆-alkylamino is a group of the formula —NH—R′, wherein R′ is ter-butyl.

The term “C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino” denotes a group of the formula —NH—C(O)—R′, wherein R′ is an C₁₋₆-alkyl group. Particular C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino is a group of the formula —NH—C(O)—R′, wherein R′ is ter-butyl.

The term “C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl” denotes tetrazolyl group substituted with one C₁₋₆-alkyl group. Particular C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl is methyltetrazolyl.

The term “C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes C₁₋₆-alkyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the C₁₋₆-alkyl group is replaced by a C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl group. Particular example is methyltetrazolylmethyl.

The term “C₂₋₆-alkynyl” denotes a monovalent linear or branched hydrocarbon group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms with at least one triple bond.

The term “amino” denotes the —NH₂ group.

The term “aminosulfonyl” denotes —S(O)₂—NH₂ group.

The term “cyano” denotes a —C≡N group.

The term “C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy” denotes a group of the formula —O—R′, wherein R′ is a C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl.

The term “C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkyl group wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy group.

The term “C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl” denotes a monovalent saturated monocyclic or bicyclic hydrocarbon group of 3 to 8 ring carbon atoms. Bicyclic means a ring system consisting of two saturated carbocycles having two carbon atoms in common. Examples for monocyclic cycloalkyl are cyclopropyl, cyclobutanyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl. Examples for bicyclic C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl are bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl or bicyclo[2.2.2]octanyl. Particular C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl group is cyclopropyl.

The term “C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkoxy group wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl group.

The term “C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkyl group wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl group.

The term “C₃₋₈-cycloalkylcarbonylamino” denotes a group of the formula —NH—C(O)—R′, wherein R′ is a C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl group.

The term “halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkoxy group wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkoxy group has been replaced by the same or different halogen atoms. Particular examples are trifluoromethoxy.

The term “halogen” and “halo” are used interchangeably herein and denote fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo. Particular halogens are chloro and fluoro.

The term “halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkyl group wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms of the C₁₋₆-alkyl group has been replaced by the same or different halogen atoms. Particular examples are trifluoromethyl.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” denotes a monovalent saturated or partly unsaturated mono- or bicyclic ring system of 4 to 9 ring atoms, comprising 1, 2, or 3 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O and S, the remaining ring atoms being carbon. Bicyclic means consisting of two cycles having two ring atoms in common, i.e. the bridge separating the two rings is either a single bond or a chain of one or two ring atoms. Examples for monocyclic saturated heterocycloalkyl are 4,5-dihydro-oxazolyl, oxetanyl, azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, 2-oxo-pyrrolidin-3-yl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydro-thienyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, piperidinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholin-4-yl, azepanyl, diazepanyl, homopiperazinyl, or oxazepanyl. Examples for bicyclic saturated heterocycloalkyl are 8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, quinuclidinyl, 8-oxa-3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, 9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl, 3-oxa-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl, or 3-thia-9-aza-bicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl. Examples for partly unsaturated heterocycloalkyl are dihydrofuryl, imidazolinyl, dihydro-oxazolyl, tetrahydro-pyridinyl, or dihydropyranyl. Particular example of heterocycloalkyl group is tetrahydropyranyl.

The term “heterocycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkoxy group wherein at least one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a heterocycloalkyl group. Particular example of heterocycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy is tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, more particularly tetrahydropyranylmethoxy.

The term “hydroxy” denotes a —OH group.

The term “hydroxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a hydroxy group. Particular examples are hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl.

The term “phenoxy” denotes a group of the formula —O—R′, wherein R′ is a phenyl group.

The term “phenoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a phenoxy group.

The term “phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl” denotes a C₂₋₆-alkenyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a phenyl group. Particular example of phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl is phenylethenyl.

The term “phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a phenyl group. Particular examples of phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl are phenylmethyl and phenylethyl.

The term “phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl” denotes a C₂₋₆-alkynyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a phenyl group.

The term “pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl” denotes a C₂₋₆-alkenyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a pyridinyl group.

The term “pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a pyridinyl group. Particular example of pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl is pyridinylmethyl, more particularly 2-pyridinylmethyl.

The term “pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl” denotes a C₂₋₆-alkynyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a pyridinyl group.

The term “thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl” denotes a C₂₋₆-alkenyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a thiophenyl group.

The term “thiophenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl” denotes a C₁₋₆-alkyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a thiophenyl group.

The term “thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl” denotes a C₂₋₆-alkynyl group wherein one of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group is replaced by a thiophenyl group.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to those salts which retain the biological effectiveness and properties of the free bases or free acids, which are not biologically or otherwise undesirable. The salts are formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, in particular hydrochloric acid, and organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid, N-acetylcystein and the like. In addition, these salts may be prepared by addition of an inorganic base or an organic base to the free acid. Salts derived from an inorganic base include, but are not limited to, the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium salts and the like. Salts derived from organic bases include, but are not limited to salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines and basic ion exchange resins, such as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, tripropylamine, ethanolamine, lysine, arginine, N-ethylpiperidine, piperidine, polyimine resins and the like. Particular pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of formula (I) are the hydrochloride salts, methanesulfonic acid salts and citric acid salts.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable esters” means that compounds of general formula (I) may be derivatised at functional groups to provide derivatives which are capable of conversion back to the parent compounds in vivo. Examples of such compounds include physiologically acceptable and metabolically labile ester derivatives, such as methoxymethyl esters, methylthiomethyl esters and pivaloyloxymethyl esters. Additionally, any physiologically acceptable equivalents of the compounds of general formula (I), similar to the metabolically labile esters, which are capable of producing the parent compounds of general formula (I) in vivo, are within the scope of this invention.

The term “protecting group” (PG) denotes a group which selectively blocks a reactive site in a multifunctional compound such that a chemical reaction can be carried out selectively at another unprotected reactive site in the meaning conventionally associated with it in synthetic chemistry.

Protecting groups can be removed at the appropriate point. Exemplary protecting groups are amino-protecting groups, carboxy-protecting groups or hydroxy-protecting groups. Particular protecting groups are the tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc), benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) and benzyl (Bn) groups. Further particular protecting groups are the tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) and the fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) groups. More particular protecting group is the tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) group.

The abbreviation uM means microMolar and is equivalent to the symbol μM.

The abbreviation uL means microliter and is equivalent to the symbol μL.

The abbreviation ug means microgram and is equivalent to the symbol μg.

The compounds of formula (I) can contain several asymmetric centers and can be present in the form of optically pure enantiomers, mixtures of enantiomers such as, for example, racemates, optically pure diastereoisomers, mixtures of diastereoisomers, diastereoisomeric racemates or mixtures of diastereoisomeric racemates.

According to the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog Convention the asymmetric carbon atom can be of the “R” or “S” configuration.

Also an embodiment of the present invention are compounds according to formula (I) as described herein and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, in particular compounds according to formula (I) as described herein and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, more particularly compounds according to formula (I) as described herein.

A particular embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein

-   -   R¹ is substituted phenyl, substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         substituted phenoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl,         substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted pyridinyl,         substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted         pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl,         substituted thiophenyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl or substituted         thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, wherein substituted phenyl, substituted         phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted         phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl,         substituted pyridinyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted         pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted thiophenyl, substituted         thiophenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl and         substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl are substituted by R³, R⁴         and R⁵;     -   Y is —OC(O)— or —C(O)—;     -   W is —C(O)—, —S(O)₂— or —CR⁶R⁷—;     -   R² is selected from the ring systems B, F, L, M, O, Z, AF, AG,         AH, AJ, AN, AO, AP, AQ, AR, AS, AT, AU and AV;

-   -   R³ is halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy,         C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         hydroxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkylamino,         C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₃₋₈-cycloalkylcarbonylamino,         C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or         heterocycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy;     -   R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxy,         cyano, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino,         C₃₋₈-cycloalkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl,         C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or heterocycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy;     -   R⁶ is H or C₁₋₆-alkyl;     -   R⁷ is H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, halogen, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy;     -   m, n, p and q are independently selected from 1 or 2;     -   r is 1, 2 or 3;     -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

A particular embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein

-   -   R¹ is substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl or         substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, wherein substituted         phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl and substituted         pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl are substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵;     -   Y is a —OC(O)— or —C(O)—;     -   W is —C(O)— or CR⁶R⁷;     -   R² is selected from the ring systems M, O, Z, AJ, AN, AO, AP,         AW, AX, AY, AZ, B, BA, BB, BC and BD;     -   R³ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy,         C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or         tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy;     -   R⁴ is H, halogen, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl;     -   R⁵ is H or halogen;     -   R⁶ is H or C₁₋₆-alkyl;     -   R⁷ is H;     -   m, n, p and q are 1;     -   r is 1;     -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

A particular embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein

-   -   R¹ is substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl or         substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, wherein substituted         phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl and substituted         pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl are substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵;     -   Y is a —OC(O)— or —C(O)—;     -   W is —C(O)—;     -   R² is selected from the ring systems M, O, Z, AJ, AN and AO;     -   R³ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino,         C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or         tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy;     -   R⁴ is H, halogen, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl;     -   R⁵ is H;     -   R⁶ is C₁₋₆-alkyl;     -   R⁷ is H;     -   m, n, p and q are 1;     -   r is 1;     -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R¹ substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl or substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, wherein substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl and substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl are substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵.

A particular embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R¹ is pyridinyl or pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵.

A particular embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein Y is —OC(O)—.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R² is selected from the ring systems M, O, Z, AJ, AN, AO, AP, AW, AX, AY, AZ, B, BA, BB, BC and BD

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R² is selected from the ring systems M, O, Z, AJ, AN and AO.

A particular embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R² is selected from the ring systems M, AJ and AO.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R³ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R³ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy.

A particular embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R³ is C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, or tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R⁴ is H, halogen, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl.

A particular embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R⁴ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R⁵ is H or halogen.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R⁵ is H.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R⁶ is H or C₁₋₆-alkyl.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R⁶ is C₁₋₆-alkyl.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein R⁷ is H.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein m, n, p and q are 1.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein r is 1.

A particular embodiment of the present invention provides compounds according to formula (I) as described herein, wherein

-   -   R¹ is pyridinyl or pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl substituted by R³, R⁴         and R⁵;     -   Y is —OC(O)—;     -   W is —C(O)—;     -   R² is selected from the ring systems M, AJ and AO;     -   R³ is C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, or tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy;     -   R⁴ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl;     -   R⁵ is H;     -   R⁷ is H;     -   m, n, p and q are 1     -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Particular examples of compounds of formula (I) as described herein are selected from

-   [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl     2-[(5R)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; -   6-(5-(2-cyclopropyl-6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methoxy)isonicotinoyl)-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one; -   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-[(5R)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(1,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl     2-(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; -   4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzyl     5-(1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate; -   1-[5-(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-3-[2-[(5-methyltetrazol-2-yl)methyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propan-1-one; -   [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyri     din-2-yl]methyl     6-(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,5,7,8-hexahydro-2,6-naphthyridine-2-carboxylate; -   [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl     2-(1,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; -   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(1,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   [5-chloro-3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoyl amino)pyridin-2-yl]methyl     2-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; -   (1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl     5-(2-cyclopropyl-6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methoxy)isonicotinoyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate;     -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Also particular examples of compounds of formula (I) as described herein are selected from

-   [5,6-dichloro-3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)pyridin-2-yl]methyl     2-(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; -   [5-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-(3-hydroxy-1,2-benzoxazol-6-yl)methanone; -   6-[5-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2-carbonyl]-1,1-dioxo-1,2-benzothiazol-3-one; -   1-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]piperidine-4-sulfonamide; -   [5,6-dichloro-3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)pyridin-2-yl]methyl     2-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; -   [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl     2-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; -   7-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-2,5,6,8-tetrahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-3-one; -   6-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-2,5,7,8-tetrahydropyrido[3,4-d]pyridazin-1-one; -   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   1-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-3-[2-[(5-methyltetrazol-2-yl)methyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propan-1-one; -   [5-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-6,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   7-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-5,6,8,8a-tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-a]pyrazine-1,3-dione; -   [2-(cyclohexylmethoxy)-6-cyclopropylpyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   1-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]piperidine-4-sulfonamide; -   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(1,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   6-[[5-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methyl]-3H-1,3-benzoxazol-2-one; -   1-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-4-fluoropiperidine-4-sulfonamide; -   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone;     -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Further particular examples of compounds of formula (I) as described herein are selected from

-   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-[(5R)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; -   [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoyl amino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyri     din-2-yl]methyl     2-(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; -   [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone;     -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Processes for the manufacture of compounds of formula (I) as described herein are an object of the invention.

The preparation of compounds of formula (I) of the present invention may be carried out in sequential or convergent synthetic routes. Syntheses of the invention are shown in the following general schemes. The skills required for carrying out the reactions and purifications of the resulting products are known to those persons skilled in the art. In case a mixture of enantiomers or diastereoisomers is produced during a reaction, these enantiomers or diastereoisomers can be separated by methods described herein or known to the man skilled in the art such as e.g. (chiral) chromatography or crystallization. The substituents and indices used in the following description of the processes have the significance given herein.

Compounds of general formula (I) can be synthesised from amine precursor 1 and appropriate reagents, using methods well known in the art.

The preparation of compounds of formula (I) of the present invention may be carried out in sequential or convergent synthetic routes. Syntheses of the invention are shown in the following general schemes. The skills required for carrying out the reactions and purifications of the resulting products are known to those persons skilled in the art. In case a mixture of enantiomers or diastereoisomers is produced during a reaction, these enantiomers or diastereoisomers can be separated by methods described herein or known to the man skilled in the art such as e.g. (chiral) chromatography or crystallization. The substituents and indices used in the following description of the processes have the significance given herein.

The present invention provides novel compounds of formula (I)

Compounds of general formula (I) can be synthesised from amine precursor 1 and appropriate reagents, using methods well known in the art.

For instance, amine 1 is reacted with a suitable carboxylic acid of formula R¹—COOH (2) leading to a compound of formula (I), wherein Y is —C(O)—. The reaction is performed in the presence of a coupling agent such as 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride, O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate, O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate or bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, in aprotic solvents such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof at temperatures between −40° C. and 80° C. in the presence or absence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine and/or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine.

Amine 1 can also be reacted with suitable acylating reagents such as acyl chlorides of formula R¹—COCl (3) to lead to compounds of formula (I), wherein Y is —C(O)—. The reaction is performed in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, or N,N-dimethylformamide, in the presence of a base such as triethylamine or 4-methylmorpholine, at temperatures between 0° C. and 80° C.

Alternatively, amine 1 is reacted with a suitable chloroformate ester of formula R¹—O—C(O)—Cl (4), or with an imidazole-1-carboxylate ester of formula (3), leading to a compound of formula (I) wherein Y is —OC(O)—.

The reaction is performed in a suitable solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, acetone, water, or mixtures thereof, in the presence of a base, e.g., triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, pyridine, potassium hydrogencarbonate, potassium carbonate, at temperatures between 0° C. and the boiling point of the solvent or solvent mixture.

Chloroformate esters 4 are commercially available or can be synthesised from the corresponding alcohol of formula R¹—OH, by reaction with phosgene or a phosgene equivalent (e.g., diphosgene, triphosgene), as described in the literature.

Imidazole-1-carboxylate esters 5 are synthesised from the corresponding alcohols of formula R¹—OH, by reaction with 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole. The reaction is performed at room temperature, in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or acetonitrile. The imidazole-1-carboxylate esters 5 are typically not isolated but directly reacted with amines 1 as described above.

Alcohols of formula R¹—OH are commercially available or can be produced by methods described herein or known in the art.

Carboxylic acids (2) and acyl halides (3) are commercially available or can be prepared as described herein or in the literature.

Amines of general formula 1 are synthesised from suitably protected precursors 6.

Suitable protective groups (PG) are tert-butoxycarbonyl or benzyloxycarbonyl. The deprotection of intermediates 6 can be performed using methods and reagents known in the art.

For instance, in the case where PG is benzyloxycarbonyl, the deprotection may be performed by hydrogenation at pressures between 1 bar and 100 bar, in the presence of a suitable catalyst such as palladium on activated charcoal, at temperatures between 20° C. and 150° C. in solvents such as methanol or ethanol.

Alternatively, in the case where PG is tert-butoxycarbonyl, the deprotection may be performed in the presence of a suitable acid, e.g., hydrochloric acid or trifluoroacetic acid, in a solvent such as water, 2-propanol, dichloromethane, or 1,4-dioxane at temperatures between 0° C. and 30° C.

Intermediates 6, wherein A is N are represented by general structure 6A.

PG is a suitable protective group, e.g., tert-butoxycarbonyl or benzyloxycarbonyl.

Intermediates 6A can be produced from amine precursors of general formula 7 by reaction with appropriate reagents, using methods known in the art.

For instance, 7 is reacted with alkylating agents of general formula X—CR⁶R⁷—R² (8) where X is a leaving group such as Cl, Br, I, or OSO₂CH₃, leading to 6A, wherein W is —CR⁶R⁷—. This reaction is performed in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or N,N-dimethylformamide, in the presence of a base, e.g. triethylamine or potassium carbonate, at temperatures between 0° C. and 100° C.

Alternatively, for compounds of formula 6A, wherein W is —CR⁶R⁷—, R⁶ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl, and R⁷ is H, amine 7 is reacted with aldehydes or ketones of general formula R⁶—C(O)—R² (9) in a reductive amination reaction, leading to 6A. This reaction is performed in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, e.g., sodium borohydride or sodium triacetoxyborohydride, in a solvent such as methanol, acetic acid, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dichloroethane or mixtures thereof, at temperatures between 0° C. and 50° C.

Alternatively, amine 7 is reacted with a suitable carboxylic acid of formula R²—COOH (10), leading to compounds of formula 6A, wherein W is —C(O)—. The reaction is performed in the presence of a coupling agent such as 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride, O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate, O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate or bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, in aprotic solvents such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof at temperatures between −40° C. and 80° C. in the presence or absence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine and/or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine.

Alternatively, amine 7 is reacted with a suitable sulfonyl chloride of formula R²—SO₂Cl (11), leading to compounds of formula 6A, wherein W is —S(O₂)—. The reaction is performed in a suitable solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, acetone, water, or mixtures thereof, in the presence of a base, e.g. triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, pyridine, potassium hydrogencarbonate, potassium carbonate, at temperatures between 0° C. and the boiling point of the solvent or solvent mixture.

Alternatively, amine 7 is reacted with a suitable N-(chlorocarbonyl)amine of formula R²—N(R¹⁰)—C(O)—Cl (12) leading to compounds of formula 6A, wherein W is —C(O)—NR¹⁰—, or with an isocyanate of formula R²—NCO (13), leading to compounds of formula 6A, wherein W is —C(O)—NR¹⁰— and R¹⁰ is H.

Alternatively, amine 7 is reacted with phosgene or phosgene equivalent (diphosgene, triphosgene) in the presence of a base (e.g., pyridine, triethylamine) in a solvent such as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran, to provide the corresponding N-(chlorocarbonyl)amine of formula 14, which is then reacted with amine of formula HN(R¹⁰)R² (15), in the presence of a base such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine, in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, or N,N-dimethylformamide, leading to compounds of formula 6A, wherein W is —C(O)—NR¹⁰—.

Alternatively, amine 7 is reacted with phosgene or a phosgene equivalent (diphosgene, triphosgene) in the presence of a base (e.g., pyridine, triethylamine), in a solvent such as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran, to the corresponding N-(chlorocarbonyl)amine of formula 14, which is then reacted with amines of formula H-O, H-AO, H-AX, H-AY, H-AZ, H-BA, H-BB, H-BC or H-BD, in the presence of a base such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine, in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, or N,N-dimethylformamide, leading to compounds of formula 6A, wherein W is —C(O)— and R² is O, AO, AX, AY, AZ, BA, BB, BC or BD.

Alternatively, amine 7 is reacted with a suitable chloroformate of formula R²—O—C(O)—Cl (16) or with an imidazole-1-carboxylate ester (17), leading to compounds of formula 6A, wherein W is —C(O)—O—. The reaction is performed in a suitable solvent, e.g., acetonitrile or N,N-dimethylformamide, optionally in the presence of a base, e.g., diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine, at temperatures between 0° C. and 100° C.

Chloroformates 16 are commercially available or can be prepared from the corresponding alcohols of formula R²—OH, by reaction with phosgene or a phosgene equivalent (e.g., diphosgene, triphosgene) as described herein or in the literature.

Imidazole-1-carboxylate esters 17 can be prepared from the corresponding alcohols of formula R²—OH, by reaction with 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole as described herein or in the literature.

N-(Chlorocarbonyl)amines 12 are synthesised from the corresponding amines 15 by reaction with phosgene or a phosgene equivalent (diphosgene, triphosgene, 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole) as described in the literature.

Isocyanates 13 are commercially available or can be prepared from the corresponding amines of formula R²—NH₂, by reaction with phosgene or a phosgene equivalent (e.g., diphosgene, triphosgene, 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole) as described in the literature.

Amines 7, alkylating agents 8, aldehydes/ketones 9, carboxylic acids 10, sulfonyl chlorides 11, and amines 15 are commercially available or can be synthesised as described herein or in the literature.

Carbamates 6 wherein A is CH, and W is —C(O)—N(R¹⁰), are represented by general formula 6B, wherein R¹⁴ is N(R¹⁰)R². Carbamates 6 wherein A is CH, W is —C(O)— and R² is O or AO are also represented by general formula 6B, wherein R¹⁴ is O, AO, AX, AY, AZ, BA, BB, BC or BD.

Amide 6B is produced from carboxylic acid 18 by coupling reaction with an amine of formula HN(R¹⁰)R² (15), H-O, H-AO, H-AX, H-AY, H-AZ, H-BA, H-BB, H-BC or H-BD.

The reaction is performed in the presence of a coupling agent such as 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride, O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate, O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate or bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, in aprotic solvents such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof at temperatures between −40° C. and 80° C. in the presence or absence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine and/or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine.

Carboxylic acids 18 are commercially available or can be produced as described in the literature.

Compounds of formula (I), wherein A is N can be produced from amine precursors of general formula 19 by reaction with appropriate reagents, using methods known in the art.

For instance, an amine of formula 19 is reacted with alkylating agents of general formula X—CR⁶R⁷—R² (8) where X is a leaving group such as Cl, Br, I, or OSO₂CH₃, leading to compounds of formula (I), wherein A is N and W is —CR⁶R⁷—. This reaction is performed in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or N,N-dimethylformamide, in the presence of a base, e.g., triethylamine or potassium carbonate, at temperatures between 0° C. and 100° C.

Alternatively, an amine of formula 19 is reacted with aldehydes or ketones of general formula R⁶—C(O)—R² (9) in a reductive amination reaction, leading to compounds of formula (I) wherein A is N, W is —CR⁶R⁷—, R⁶ is hydrogen, alkyl or cycloalkyl, and R⁷ is H. This reaction is performed in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, e.g. sodium borohydride or sodium triacetoxyborohydride, in a solvent such as methanol, acetic acid, tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dichloroethane or mixtures thereof, at temperatures between 0° C. and 50° C.

Alternatively, amine 19 is reacted with a suitable carboxylic acid of formula R²—COOH (10), leading to compounds of formula (I) wherein A is N and W is —C(O)—. The reaction is performed in the presence of a coupling agent such as 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride, O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate, O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate or bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, in aprotic solvents such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof at temperatures between −40° C. and 80° C. in the presence or absence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine and/or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine.

Alternatively, amine 19 is reacted with a suitable sulfonyl chloride of formula R²—SO₂Cl (11), leading to (I) wherein A is N and W is —S(O₂)—. The reaction is performed in a suitable solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, acetone, water, or mixtures thereof, in the presence of a base, e.g. triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, pyridine, potassium hydrogencarbonate, potassium carbonate, at temperatures between 0° C. and the boiling point of the solvent or solvent mixture.

Alternatively, amine 19 is reacted with a suitable N-(chlorocarbonyl)amine of formula R²—N(R¹⁰)—C(O)—Cl (12) leading to compounds of formula (I), wherein W is —C(O)—NR¹⁰—, or with an isocyanate of formula R²—NCO (13), leading to compounds of formula (I), wherein W is —C(O)—NR¹⁰— and R¹⁰ is H. The reaction is performed in a suitable solvent, e.g., acetonitrile or N,N-dimethylformamide, optionally in the presence of a base, e.g., diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine, at temperatures between 0° C. and 100° C.

Alternatively, amine 19 is reacted with a suitable chloroformate of formula R²—O—C(O)—Cl (16) or with an imidazole-1-carboxylate ester (17), leading to compounds of formula (I), wherein W is —C(O)—O—. The reaction is performed in a suitable solvent, e.g., acetonitrile or N,N-dimethylformamide, optionally in the presence of a base, e.g., diisopropylethylamine or triethylamine, at temperatures between 0° C. and 100° C.

Alternatively, amine 19 is reacted with phosgene or phosgene equivalent (diphosgene, triphosgene) in the presence of a base (e.g., pyridine, triethylamine) in a solvent such as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran, to provide the corresponding N-(chlorocarbonyl)amine of formula 20, which is then reacted with amine of formula HN(R¹⁰)R² (15), in the presence of a base such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine, in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, or N,N-dimethylformamide, leading to compounds of formula (I), wherein W is —C(O)—NR¹⁰—.

Alternatively, amine 19 is reacted with phosgene or a phosgene equivalent (diphosgene, triphosgene) in the presence of a base (e.g., pyridine, triethylamine), in a solvent such as dichloromethane or tetrahydrofuran, to the corresponding N-(chlorocarbonyl)amine of formula 20, which is then reacted with amines of formula H-O, H-AO, H-AX, H-AY, H-AZ, H-BA, H-BB, H-BC or H-BD, in the presence of a base such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine, in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, or N,N-dimethylformamide, leading to compounds of formula (I), wherein W is —C(O)— and R² is O, AO, AX, AY, AZ, BA, BB, BC or BD.

Amines 19 can be synthesised from their tert-butyl carbamate derivatives of formula 21 by carbamate deprotection. The deprotection may be performed in the presence of a suitable acid, e.g., hydrochloric acid or trifluoroacetic acid, in a solvent such as water, 2-propanol, dichloromethane, or 1,4-dioxane, at temperatures between 0° C. and 30° C.

tert-Butyl carbamates 21 can be synthesised from amine precursors of formula 22 and appropriate reagents, using methods well known in the art.

For instance, amine 22 is reacted with a suitable carboxylic acid of formula R¹—COOH (2) leading to compounds of formula 21, wherein Y is —C(O)—. The reaction is performed in the presence of a coupling agent such as 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride, O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate, O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate or bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, in aprotic solvents such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof at temperatures between −40° C. and 80° C. in the presence or absence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine and/or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine.

Amine 22 can also be reacted with suitable acylating reagents, such as acyl chlorides of formula R¹—COCl (3) to provide compounds of formula 21, wherein Y is —C(O)—. The reaction is performed in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, or N,N-dimethylformamide, in the presence of a base such as triethylamine or 4-methylmorpholine, at temperatures between 0° C. and 80° C.

Alternatively, amine 22 is reacted with a suitable chloroformate ester of formula R¹—O—C(O)—Cl (4), or with an imidazole-1-carboxylate ester of formula 5, leading to a compound of formula 21, wherein Y is —OC(O)—. The reaction is performed in a suitable solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, acetone, water, or mixtures thereof, in the presence of a base, e.g., triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, pyridine, potassium hydrogencarbonate, potassium carbonate, at temperatures between 0° C. and the boiling point of the solvent or solvent mixture.

Alternatively, amine 22 can be reacted with a phosgene or a phosgene equivalent (e.g., triphosgene) to the corresponding N-chlorocarbonylamine 22A, in the presence of a base (e.g., pyridine) in a suitable solvent, e.g., dichloromethane, at temperatures between −78° C. and +20° C. N-Chlorocarbonylamine 22A is then reacted with alcohol of formula R¹—OH, leading to a compound of formula 21, wherein Y is —OC(O)—. This reaction is performed in a suitable solvent (e.g., acetonitrile of dichloromethane) in the presence of a suitable base (e.g., sodium hydride, pyridine or polystyrene-bound 2-tert-butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethylperhydro-1,3,2-diazaphosphorine), at temperatures between 20° C. and the boiling point of the solvent.

Amines of formula 22 are commercially available or can be produced as described herein or in the literature.

Compounds of formula (I), wherein A is CH and W is —C(O)—NR¹⁰— can be produced from carboxylic acid precursors of general formula 23 by reaction with appropriate amine reagents of general formula HN(R¹⁰)R² (15). Likewise, compounds of formula (I), wherein A is CH, W is C(O), and R² is O, AO, AX, AY, AZ, BA, BB, BC or BD, can be produced from carboxylic acid precursors of general formula 19 by reaction with appropriate amine reagents of general formula H-O, H-AO, H-AX, H-AY, H-AZ, H-BA, H-BB, H-BC or H-BD, using methods known in the art.

For instance, this reaction is performed in the presence of a coupling agent such as 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride, O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate, O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate or bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, in aprotic solvents such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof at temperatures between −40° C. and 80° C. in the presence or absence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine and/or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine.

Compounds of formula (I), wherein A is CH and W is —C(O)—O— can be produced from carboxylic acid precursors of general formula 23 by reaction with appropriate alcohols of general formula R²—OH, using methods known in the art.

For instance, this reaction is performed in the presence of a coupling agent such as 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride, O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate, O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate or bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, in aprotic solvents such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof at temperatures between −40° C. and 80° C. in the presence or absence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine and/or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine.

Alternatively, the reaction is performed in two steps wherein carboxylic acid 19 is first converted to acid chloride 24, using methods and reagents known in the art, e.g., thionyl chloride or oxalyl chloride. Acid chloride 24 is then reacted with alcohol R²—OH in a suitable solvent, e.g., dichloromethane or acetonitrile, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, e.g., pyridine or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, at temperatures between −40° C. and +100° C.

Carboxylic acids 23 can be produced from the corresponding ester precursors 25, wherein R^(a) is lower alkyl, e.g. methyl or ethyl, using methods and reagents known in the art. For instance, the reaction is performed in the presence of a base, e.g., potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or lithium hydroxide, in solvents such as water, methanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, or mixtures thereof, at temperatures between 20° C. and 100° C.

Compounds of formula 25 can be synthesised from amine precursors of formula 26 and appropriate reagents, using methods well known in the art.

For instance, amine 21 is reacted with a suitable carboxylic acid of formula R¹—COOH (2) leading to compounds of formula 25, wherein Y is —C(O)—. The reaction is performed in the presence of a coupling agent such as 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride, O-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate, O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate or bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, in aprotic solvents such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof at temperatures between −40° C. and 80° C. in the presence or absence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine and/or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine.

Amine 25 can also be reacted with suitable acylating reagents, such as acyl chlorides of formula R¹—COCl (3) to lead to compounds of formula 26, wherein Y is —C(O)—. The reaction is performed in a solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, or N,N-dimethylformamide, in the presence of a base such as triethylamine or 4-methylmorpholine, at temperatures between 0° C. and 80° C.

Alternatively, amine 26 is reacted with a suitable chloroformate ester of formula R¹—O—C(O)—Cl (4), or with an imidazole-1-carboxylate ester of formula 5, leading to a compound of formula 25, wherein Y is —OC(O)—. The reaction is performed in a suitable solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, acetone, water, or mixtures thereof, in the presence of a base, e.g., triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, pyridine, potassium hydrogencarbonate, potassium carbonate, at temperatures between 0° C. and the boiling point of the solvent or solvent mixture.

Alternatively, amine 26 can be reacted with a phosgene or a phosgene equivalent (e.g., triphosgene) to the corresponding N-chlorocarbonylamine 26A, in the presence of a base (e.g., pyridine) in a suitable solvent, e.g., dichloromethane, at temperatures between −78° C. and +20° C. N-Chlorocarbonylamine 26A is then reacted with alcohol of formula R¹—OH, leading to a compound of formula 25, wherein Y is —OC(O)—. This reaction is performed in a suitable solvent (e.g., acetonitrile of dichloromethane) in the presence of a suitable base (e.g., sodium hydride, pyridine or polystyrene-bound 2-tert-butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethylperhydro-1,3,2-diazaphosphorine), at temperatures between 20° C. and the boiling point of the solvent.

Amines of general formula 26 are synthesised from suitably protected precursors 27.

Suitable protective groups (PG) are tert-butoxycarbonyl or benzyloxycarbonyl. The deprotection of intermediates 27 can be performed using methods and reagents known in the art.

For instance, in the case where PG is benzyloxycarbonyl, the deprotection may be performed by hydrogenation at pressures between 1 bar and 100 bar, in the presence of a suitable catalyst such as palladium on activated charcoal, at temperatures between 20° C. and 150° C., in solvents such as methanol or ethanol.

Alternatively, in the case where PG is tert-butoxycarbonyl, the deprotection may be performed in the presence of a suitable acid, e.g., hydrochloric acid or trifluoroacetic acid, in a solvent such as water, 2-propanol, dichloromethane, or 1,4-dioxane, at temperatures between 0° C. and 30° C.

Esters 27, wherein R^(a) is methyl or ethyl, are produced from carboxylic acids 18, using methods and reagents known in the art. For instance, 18 alkylated with methyl iodide or ethyl bromide, in the presence of a base, e.g., potassium carbonate, in a solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide, at −20° C. and +30° C., leading to the methyl or ethyl ester 27, respectively.

Also an embodiment of the present invention is a process to prepare a compound of formula (I) as defined above comprising the reaction of a compound of formula (II) in the presence of a compound of formula (III);

-   -   wherein R¹, R², m, n, p and q are as defined above and W is         —C(O)—.

In particular, in the presence of a coupling agent such as 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride, 0-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate, O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate or bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, particularly O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate, in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone and mixtures thereof, particularly N,N-dimethylformamide, in the presence or absence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 4-methylmorpholine and/or 4-(dimethylamino)pyri dine, particularly in the presence of 4-methylmorpholine and at a temperature comprised between −78° C. and reflux, particularly between −10° C. and room temperature.

Also an object of the present invention is a compound according to formula (I) as described herein for use as a therapeutically active substance.

Likewise an object of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to formula (I) as described herein and a therapeutically inert carrier.

A particular embodiment of the present invention is a compound according to formula (I) as described herein for the treatment or prophylaxis of ocular conditions, particularly glaucoma.

The present invention also relates to the use of a compound according to formula (I) as described herein for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of ocular conditions, particularly glaucoma.

Also an object of the invention is a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of ocular conditions, particularly glaucoma, which method comprises administering an effective amount of a compound according to formula (I) as described herein.

Renal conditions include, but are not limited to, acute kidney injury and chronic renal disease with and without proteinuria including end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In more detail, this includes decreased creatinine clearance and decreased glomerular filtration rate, micro-albuminuria, albuminuria and proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis with expansion of reticulated mesangial matrix with or without significant hypercellularity (particularly diabetic nephropathy and amyloidosis), focal thrombosis of glomerular capillaries (particularly thrombotic microangiopathies), global fibrinoid necrosis, ischemic lesions, malignant nephrosclerosis (such as ischemic retraction, reduced renal blood flow and renal arteriopathy), swelling and proliferation of intracapillary (endothelial and mesangial) and/or extracapillary cells (crescents) like in glomerular nephritis entities, focal segmental glomerular sclerosis, IgA nephropathy, vasculitides/systemic diseases as well as acute and chronic kidney transplant rejection.

Liver conditions include, but are not limited to, liver cirrhosis, hepatic congestion, cholestatic liver disease including pruritus, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and acute and chronic liver transplant rejection.

Inflammatory conditions include, but are not limited to, arthritis, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematodes, inflammatory bowel disease, abnormal evacuation disorder and the like as well as inflammatory airways diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or chronic asthma bronchiale.

Further conditions of the respiratory system include, but are not limited to, other diffuse parenchymal lung diseases of different etiologies including iatrogenic drug-induced fibrosis, occupational and/or environmental induced fibrosis, systemic diseases and vasculitides, granulomatous diseases (sarcoidosis, hypersensitivity pneumonia), collagen vascular disease, alveolar proteinosis, Langerhans cell granulomatosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, inherited diseases (Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, metabolic storage disorders, familial interstitial lung disease), radiation induced fibrosis, silicosis, asbestos induced pulmonary fibrosis or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Conditions of the nervous system include, but are not limited to, neuropathic pain, schizophrenia, neuro-inflammation (e.g. astrogliosis), peripheral and/or autonomic (diabetic) neuropathies and the like.

Vascular conditions include, but are not limited to, atherosclerosis, thrombotic vascular disease as well as thrombotic microangiopathies, proliferative arteriopathy (such as swollen myointimal cells surrounded by mucinous extracellular matrix and nodular thickening), atherosclerosis, decreased vascular compliance (such as stiffness, reduced ventricular compliance and reduced vascular compliance), endothelial dysfunction and the like.

Cardiovascular conditions include, but are not limited to, acute coronary syndrome, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, arterial and pulmonary hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation, stroke and other vascular damage.

Fibrotic diseases include, but are not limited to myocardial and vascular fibrosis, renal fibrosis, liver fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, skin fibrosis, scleroderma and encapsulating peritonitis.

Cancer and cancer metastasis include, but are not limited to, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, mesothelioma, glioma, hepatic carcinoma, gastrointestinal cancers and progression and metastatic aggressiveness thereof.

Ocular conditions include, but are not limited to, proliferative and non-proliferative (diabetic) retinopathy, dry and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), macular edema, central arterial/venous occlusion, traumatic injury, glaucoma and the like. Particularly, the ocular condition is glaucoma.

Metabolic conditions include, but are not limited to, obesity and diabetes.

Also an embodiment of the present invention are compounds of formula (I) as described herein, when manufactured according to any one of the described processes.

Assay Procedures

Production of Human Full Length ATX, with and without His Tag

Autotaxin (ATX-Enpp2) Cloning:

cDNA was prepared from commercial human hematopoietic cells total RNA and used as template in overlapping PCR to generate a full length human ENPP2 ORF with or without a 3′-6×His tag. These full length inserts were cloned into the pcDNA3.1V5-His TOPO (Invitrogen) vector. The DNA sequences of several single clones were verified. The DNA from a correct full length clone was used to transfect Hek293 cells for verification of protein expression. The sequence of the encoded ENPP2 conforms to Swissprot entry Q13822, with or without the additional C-terminal 6×His tag.

ATX Fermentation:

Recombinant protein was produced by large-scale transient transfection in 20 L controlled stirred tank bioreactors (Sartorius). During cell growth and transfection, temperature, stirrer speed, pH and dissolved oxygen concentration were maintained at 37° C., 120 rpm, 7.1 and 30% DO, respectively. FreeStyle 293-F cells (Invitrogen) were cultivated in suspension in FreeStyle 293 medium (Invitrogen) and transfected at ca. 1-1.5×10E6 cells/mL with above plasmid DNAs using X-tremeGENE Ro-1539 (commercial product, Roche Diagnostics) as complexing agent. Cells were fed a concentrated nutrient solution (J Immunol Methods 194 (1996), 19, 1-199 (page 193)) and induced by sodium butyrate (2 mM) at 72 h post-transfection and harvested at 96 h post-transfection. Expression was analyzed by Western Blot, enzymatic assay and/or analytical IMAC chromatography. After cooling the cell suspension to 4° C. in a flow-through heat exchanger, cell separation and sterile filtration of supernatant was performed by filtration through Zeta Plus 60M02 E16 (Cuno) and Sartopore 2 XLG (Sartorius) filter units. The supernatant was stored at 4° C. prior to purification.

ATX Purification:

20 liter of culture supernatant were conditioned for ultrafiltration by adding Brij 35 to a final concentration of 0.02% and by adjusting the pH to 7.0 using 1 M HCl. Then the supernatant was first microfiltred through a 0.2 m Ultran-Pilot Open Channel PES filter (Whatman) and afterwards concentrated to 1 liter through an Ultran-Pilot Screen Channel PES filter with 30 kDa MWCO (Whatman). Prior to IMAC chromatography, NiSO₄ was added to a final concentration of 1 mM. The cleared supernatant was then applied to a HisTrap column (GE Healthcare) previously equilibrated in 50 mM Na₂HPO₄ pH 7.0, 0.5 M NaCl, 10% glycerol, 0.3% CHAPS, 0.02% NaN₃. The column was washed stepwise with the same buffer containing 20 mM, 40 mM and 50 mM imidazole, respectively. The protein was subsequently eluted using a linear gradient to 0.5 M imidazole in 15 column volumes. ATX containing fractions were pooled and concentrated using an Amicon cell equipped with a 30 kDa PES filter membrane. The protein was further purified by size exclusion chromatography on Superdex S-200 prep grade (XK 26/100) (GE Healthcare) in 20 mM BICINE pH 8.5, 0.15 M NaCl, 10% glycerol, 0.3% CHAPS, 0.02% NaN₃. Final yield of protein after purification was 5-10 mg ATX per liter of culture supernatant. The protein was stored at −80° C.

Human Atx Enzyme Inhibition Assay

ATX inhibition was measured by a fluorescence quenching assay using a specifically labeled substrate analogue (MR121 substrate). To obtain this MR121 substrate, BOC and TBS protected 6-amino-hexanoic acid (R)-3-({2-[3-(2-{2-[2-(2-amino-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethoxy}-ethoxy)-propionylamino]-ethoxy}-hydroxy-phosphoryloxy)-2-hydroxy-propyl ester (Ferguson et al., Org Lett 2006, 8 (10), 2023) was labeled with MR121 fluorophore (CAS 185308-24-1,1-(3-carboxypropyl)-11-ethyl-1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11-octahydro-dipyrido[3,2-b:2′,3′-i]phenoxazin-13-ium) on the free amine of the ethanolamine side and then, after deprotection, subsequently with tryptophan on the side of the aminohexanoic acid.

Assay working solutions were made as follows:

Assay buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 140 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 1 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgCl₂, 0.01% Triton-X-100, pH 8.0;

ATX solution: ATX (human His-tagged) stock solution (1.08 mg/mL in 20 mM bicine, pH 8.5, 0.15 M NaCl, 10% glycerol, 0.3% CHAPS, 0.02% NaN₃), diluted to 1.4-2.5× final concentration in assay buffer;

MR121 substrate solution: MR121 substrate stock solution (800 μM MR121 substrate in DMSO), diluted to 2-5× final concentration in assay buffer.

Test compounds (10 mM stock in DMSO, 8 μL) were obtained in 384 well sample plates (Corning Costar #3655) and diluted with 8 μL DMSO. Row-wise serial dilutions were made by transferring 8 μL cpd solution to the next row up to row O. The compound and control solutions were mixed five times and 2 μL were transferred to 384 well assay plates (Corning Costar #3702). Then, 15 μL of 41.7 nM ATX solution was added (30 nM final concentration), mixed five times and then incubated for 15 minutes at 30° C. 10 μL of MR121 substrate solution was added (1 M final concentration), mixed 30 times and then incubated for 15 minutes at 30° C. Fluorescence was then measured every 2 minutes for 1 hour (Perkin Elmer plate: vision multimode reader); light intensity: 2.5%; exp. time: 1.4 sec, Filter: Fluo_630/690 nm) and IC₅₀ values were calculated from these readouts.

ATX IC50 Ex (μM) 1.00 0.007 1.01 0.008 1.02 0.005 1.03 0.005 1.04 0.008 1.05 0.003 1.06 0.011 1.07 0.017 2.00 0.005 2.01 0.001 2.02 0.006 2.03 0.128 1.08 0.007 1.09 0.004 1.10 0.013 2.04 0.0055 2.05 0.007 2.06 0.005 2.07 0.005 2.08 0.01 2.09 0.01 2.10 0.009 2.11 0.012 2.12 0.441 2.13 0.097 2.14 0.122 2.15 0.001 4.00 0.011 4.01 0.01 5.00 0.001 6.00 0.003 7.00 0.005 3.00 0.036

Compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof as described herein have IC₅₀ values between 0.00001 μM and 1000 μM, particular compounds have IC₅₀ values between 0.0005 μM and 500 μM, further particular compounds have IC₅₀ values between 0.0005 μM and 50 μM, more particular compounds have IC₅₀ values between 0.0005 μM and 5 μM. These results have been obtained by using the enzymatic assay described above.

The compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be used as medicaments (e.g. in the form of pharmaceutical preparations). The pharmaceutical preparations can be administered internally, such as orally (e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragées, hard and soft gelatin capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions), nasally (e.g. in the form of nasal sprays), rectally (e.g. in the form of suppositories) or topical ocularly (e.g. in the form of solutions, ointments, gels or water soluble polymeric inserts). However, the administration can also be effected parenterally, such as intramuscularly, intravenously, or intraocularly (e.g. in the form of sterile injection solutions).

The compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be processed with pharmaceutically inert, inorganic or organic adjuvants for the production of tablets, coated tablets, dragées, hard gelatin capsules, injection solutions or topical formulations Lactose, corn starch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts etc. can be used, for example, as such adjuvants for tablets, dragées and hard gelatin capsules.

Suitable adjuvants for soft gelatin capsules, are, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, fats, semi-solid substances and liquid polyols, etc.

Suitable adjuvants for the production of solutions and syrups are, for example, water, polyols, saccharose, invert sugar, glucose, etc.

Suitable adjuvants for injection solutions are, for example, water, alcohols, polyols, glycerol, vegetable oils, etc.

Suitable adjuvants for suppositories are, for example, natural or hardened oils, waxes, fats, semi-solid or liquid polyols, etc.

Suitable adjuvants for topical ocular formulations are, for example, cyclodextrins, mannitol or many other carriers and excipients known in the art.

Moreover, the pharmaceutical preparations can contain preservatives, solubilizers, viscosity-increasing substances, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, flavorants, salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffers, masking agents or antioxidants. They can also contain still other therapeutically valuable substances.

The dosage can vary in wide limits and will, of course, be fitted to the individual requirements in each particular case. In general, in the case of oral administration a daily dosage of about 0.1 mg to 20 mg per kg body weight, preferably about 0.5 mg to 4 mg per kg body weight (e.g. about 300 mg per person), divided into preferably 1-3 individual doses, which can consist, for example, of the same amounts, should it be appropriate. In the case of topical administration, the formulation can contain 0.001% to 15% by weight of medicament and the required dose, which can be between 0.1 and 25 mg in can be administered either by single dose per day or per week, or by multiple doses (2 to 4) per day, or by multiple doses per week. It will, however, be clear that the upper or lower limit given herein can be exceeded when this is shown to be indicated.

The invention is illustrated hereinafter by Examples, which have no limiting character.

In case the preparative examples are obtained as a mixture of enantiomers, the pure enantiomers can be obtained by methods described herein or by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as e.g. chiral chromatography or crystallization.

EXAMPLES

All examples and intermediates were prepared under nitrogen atmosphere if not specified otherwise.

Abbreviations: aq.=aqueous; CAS-RN=Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number; HPLC=high performance liquid chromatography; MS=mass spectrum; sat.=saturated

Example 1 [3-(2,2-Dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 2-[(5R)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate

To a solution of (3-pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride (intermediate 4; 50 mg, 111 mol), 4-methylmorpholine (56.3 mg, 557 μmol) and (R)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 1588500-12-2; 18.6 mg, 111 μmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (4 mL) was added O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate (42.4 mg, 111 μmol). The clear yellow solution was stirred at room temperature, then after 18 h the reaction mixture was partitioned between sat. aq. sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and ethyl acetate/2-methyltetrahydrofuran 4:1. The organic layer was extracted with sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 90:10:0.25 afforded the title compound (46 mg, 74%). White foam, MS: 562.3 (M+H)⁺.

The following examples were produced in analogy to example 1, replaying (3-pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride by the appropriate amine and (R)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-carboxylic acid by the appropriate carboxylic acid.

Ex. Systematic Name Amine/Carboxylic acid MS, m/e 1.01

[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/3- methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H- benzo[d]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 863564-77-6) 544.2 (M + H)⁺ 1.02

[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/(R)- 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H- benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 1588500-12-2) 519.3 (M + H)⁺ 1.03

[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/1H- benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 23814-12-2) 515.2 (M + H)⁺ 1.04

(3-pivalamido-5- (trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4- c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate dihydrochloride (intermediate 4)/1H- benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 23814-12-2) 558.3 (M + H)⁺ 1.05

4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzyl 3,4,5,6- tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole- 2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride (intermediate 1)/1H- benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 23814-12-2) 472.3 (M − H)⁻ 1.06

3-[2-[(5-methyltetrazol-2-yl)methyl]- 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)propan-1-one (intermediate 3)/ 1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5- carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 23814-12- 2) 552.3 (M + H)⁺ 1.07

(3-pivalamido-5- (trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl 3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-2,6- naphthyridine-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride (intermediate 4.01)/ 1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5- carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 23814-12- 2) 586.4 (M + H)⁺ 1.08

[5,6-dichloro-3-(2,2- dimethylpropanoylamino)pyridin-2- yl]methyl 2,3,4,6-tetrahydro-1H- pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate hydrochloride (intermediate 4.03)/ 1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5- carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 23814-12- 2) 558.2 (M + H)⁺ 1.09

[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/3- hydroxy-1,2-benzoxazole-6- carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 1553280- 76-4) 531.3 (M + H)⁺ 1.10

[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/1,1,3- trioxo-1,2-benzothiazole-6-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 90779-46-7) 579.2 (M + H)⁺

Example 2 [3-(2,2-Dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 2-(1,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate

To a light yellow solution of (3-pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate dihydrochloride (intermediate 4; 75 mg, 139 μmol) and pyridine (66 mg, 834 μmol) in dichloromethane (2 mL) was added dropwise a solution of triphosgene (18.6 mg, 62.6 μmol) in dichloromethane (2 mL) at 0° C. After 30 min the ice-bath was removed, then after 2 h the reaction mixture was partitioned between 1 M aq. hydrochloric acid solution and dichloromethane. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The residue was taken up in dichloromethane (2 mL) and added to a solution of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-c]pyridine (CAS-RN 706757-05-3; 18.2 mg, 139 μmol) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (53.9 mg, 417 μmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (2 mL). After 15 h the reaction mixture was partitioned between sat. aq. sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and ethyl acetate/2 methyltetrahydrofuran 4:1. The organic layer was extracted with sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 90:10:0.25 afforded the title compound (37 mg, 47%). Yellow foam, MS: 563.2 (M+H)⁺.

The following compounds were produced in analogy to example 2, replacing (3-pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride by the appropriate amine 1 and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-c]pyridine by the appropriate amine 2.

Ex. Systematic Name Amine 1/Amine 2 MS, m/e 2.01

[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2) 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoxazolo[5,4- c]pyridin-3(2H)-one (CAS-RN 64603-91-4) 536.2 (M + H)⁺ 2.02

[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/ 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H- [1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-c]pyridine (CAS- RN 706757-05-3) 520.3 (M + H)⁺ 2.03

(5-chloro-3-pivalamidopyridin-2- yl)methyl 3,4,5,6- tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole- 2(1H)-carboxylate dihydrochloride (intermediate 4.02)/4,5,6,7- tetrahydro-isoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin- 3(2H)-one (CAS-RN 64603-91-4) 545.3 (M + H)⁺ 2.04

[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/ piperidine-4-sulfonamide hydrochloride (CAS-RN 1251923-46- 2) 560.3 (M + H)⁺ 2.05

[5,6-dichloro-3-(2,2- dimethylpropanoylamino)pyridin-2- yl]methyl 2,3,4,6-tetrahydro-1H- pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate hydrochloride (intermediate 4.03)/ 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoxazolo[5,4- c]pyridin-3(2H)-one (CAS-RN 64603-91-4) 577.2 (M − H)⁻ 2.06

(3-pivalamido-5- (trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4- c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride (intermediate 4)/ 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoxazolo[5,4- c]pyridin-3(2H)-one (CAS-RN 64603-91-4) 579.2 (M + H)⁺ 2.07

[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/ 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H- [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-3-one (CAS-RN 914654-93-6) 535.3 (M + H)⁺ 2.08

[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/ 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-pyrido[3,4- d]pyridazin-1-one (CAS-RN 1443292-30-5) 547.3 (M + H)⁺ 2.09

[2-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2- trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 3.01)/ 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoxazolo[5,4- c]pyridin-3(2H)-one (CAS-RN 64603-91-4) 520.2 (M + H)⁺ 2.10

3-[2-[(5-methyltetrazol-2-yl)methyl]- 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)propan-1-one (intermediate 3)/ 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoxazolo[5,4- c]pyridin-3(2H)-one (CAS-RN 64603-91-4) 573.2 (M + H)⁺ 2.11

[5-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2- trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 3.02)/ 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoxazolo[5,4- c]pyridin-3(2H)-one (CAS-RN 64603-91-4) 520.2 (M + H)⁺ 2.12

[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/ 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrazolo[3,4- c]pyridin-3-ol (CAS-RN 725203-02- 1) 535.3 (M + H)⁺ 2.13

[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/ 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-[1,2]oxazolo[4,5- c]pyridin-3-ol (CAS-RN 53602-00-9) 536.3 (M + H)⁺ 2.14

[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4- ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2)/ 6,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-5H-imidazo[1,5- a]pyrazine-1,3-dione hydrochloride (CAS-RN 1375909-46-8) 551.3 (M + H)⁺ 2.15

[2-(cyclohexylmethoxy)-6- cyclopropylpyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone (intermediate 2.01)/ 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoxazolo[5,4- c]pyridin-3(2H)-one (CAS-RN 64603-91-4) 534.3 (M + H)⁺

Example 3 (1H-1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)methyl 5-(2-cyclopropyl-6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methoxy)isonicotinoyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate

To a solution of (1-trityl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methanol (CAS-RN 88529-86-6; 46.2 mg, 135 μmol) in acetonitrile (3 mL) was added 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (21.9 mg, 135 μmol). The reaction was stirred at 50° C. for 2 h, then triethylamine (68.5 mg, 677 μmol) and (2-cyclopropyl-6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methoxy)pyridin-4-yl)(5,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2(1H,3H,4H)-yl)methanone (intermediate 2; 50 mg, 135 μmol) were added and the reaction mixture was heated at reflux for 18 h. After cooling trifluoroacetic acid (309 mg, 2.71 mmol) was added, then after 3 h the reaction mixture was evaporated and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel, gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 90:10:0.25) produced the title compound (11 mg, 16%). White solid, MS: 495.2 (M+H)⁺.

Example 4 1-[2-[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]piperidine-4-sulfonamide

To a solution of 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl)piperidine-4-sulfonamide hydrochloride (intermediate 5; 52 mg, 155 μmol), 4-methylmorpholine (94 mg, 929 μmol) and 2-cyclopropyl-6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methoxy)isonicotinic acid (CAS-RN 1810776-23-8; 42.9 mg, 155 μmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (4 mL) was added O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate (58.9 mg, 155 μmol). The clear yellow solution was stirred at room temperature, then after 39 h the reaction mixture was partitioned between sat. aq. sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and dichloromethane. The organic layer was extracted with sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 90:10:0.25 afforded the title compound (84 mg, 97%). White foam, MS: 559.3 (M+H)⁺.

The following example was produced in analogy to example 4, replacing 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl)piperidine-4-sulfonamide hydrochloride (intermediate 5) by the appropriate amine.

Ex. Systematic Name Amine MS, m/e 4.01

1,2,3,4,5,6- hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrrol-5- yl(1,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5- c]pyridin-5-yl)methanone hydrochloride (intermediate 5.01) 517.4 (M − H)⁻

Example 5 6-[[5-[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methyl]-3H-1,3-benzoxazol-2-one

To a solution of [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5-yl)methanone (intermediate 2; 50 mg, 122 μmol) in dichloromethane (2 mL) was added 2-oxo-3H-1,3-benzoxazole-6-carbaldehyde (CAS-RN 54903-15-0; 25.1 mg, 146 μmol), acetic acid (14.6 mg, 244 μmol) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (33.6 mg, 158 μmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature, then after 2 h the reaction mixture was partitioned between 1 M aq. sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 90:10:0.25) afforded the title compound (39 mg, 62%). Off-white solid, MS: 517.3 (M+H)⁺.

Example 6 1-[2-[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-4-fluoropiperidine-4-sulfonamide

Step 1: 1-[2-[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(tetrahydropran-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-4-fluoro-N,N-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]piperidine-4-sulfonamide

To a solution of [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5-yl)methanone (intermediate 2; 165 mg, 402 μmol) and 4-methylmorpholine (122 mg, 1.21 mmol) in dichloromethane (4 mL) was added dropwise a solution of triphosgene (59.6 mg, 201 μmol) in dichloromethane (4 mL) at 0° C. After 30 min the ice bath was removed, then after 2 h the reaction mixture was partitioned between sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution and dichloromethane. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The residue was taken up in dichloromethane (4 mL) and added to a solution of 4-fluoro-N,N-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]piperidine-4-sulfonamide hydrochloride (intermediate 6; 110 mg, 240 μmol) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (92.9 mg, 719 μmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (2 mL). After 18 h the reaction mixture was partitioned between sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution and ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 90:10:0.25 afforded the title compound (152 mg, 77%). Light yellow foam, MS: 818.4 (M+H)⁺.

Step 2: 1-[2-[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-4-fluoropiperidine-4-sulfonamide

Trifluoroacetic acid (1.54 g, 13.5 mmol) was added at room temperature to a solution of 1-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-4-fluoro-N,N-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]piperidine-4-sulfonamide (138 mg, 169 μmol) in dichloromethane (2 mL), then after stirring for 6 h at 50° C. the mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was taken up in dichloromethane, washed with sat. aq. sodium hydrogencarbonate solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 95:5:0.25 produced the title compound (70 mg, 72%). Light yellow foam, MS: 578.3 (M+H)⁺.

Example 7 [2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone

To a colourless solution of tert-butyl 5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-2-carboxylate (intermediate 7; 72 mg, 192 μmol) in isopropanol (1 mL) was added hydrochloric acid (5-6 M in isopropanol) (1.07 mL, 5.4 mmol), then after 6 the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (2 mL) and triethylamine (116 mg, 1.15 mmol) and chlorotrimethylsilane (25 mg, 230 μmol) were added at room temperature. After 10 min a solution of 2-cyclopropyl-6-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl chloride (192 mol) and dichloromethane (2 mL) was added at 0° C. to the stirring brown suspension. The reaction was stirred for 15 h at 40° C., then partitioned between sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution and dichloromethane. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 95:5:0.25 afforded the title compound (15 mg, 15%). White foam, MS: 535.3 (M+H)⁺.

Preparation of 2-cyclopropyl-6-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl Chloride

Oxalyl chloride (37.3 mg, 288 μmol) was added to a stirring solution of 2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 1810776-23-8; 53.2 mg, 192 μmol) in dichloromethane (2 mL) at 0° C. A catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylformamide (701 μg, 9.59 mol) was added. Stirring at room temperature for 1 h afforded the crude carbonyl chloride, which was used in example 7.

Intermediates

Intermediate 1

4-(Trifluoromethoxy)benzyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate Hydrochloride Step 1: 2-tert-Butyl 5-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzyl) 4,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2.5(1H,3H)-dicarboxylate

To a solution of [4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]methanol (CAS-RN 1736-74-9; 233 mg, 1.21 mmol) in acetonitrile (10 mL) was added 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (197 mg, 1.21 mmol). The reaction was heated at 50° C. for 3 h, then triethylamine (736 mg, 7.28 mmol) and tert-butyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride (CAS-RN 1208929-16-1; 315 mg, 1.21 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was heated at reflux for another 15 h. After cooling the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and aq. sat. ammonium chloride solution. The organic layer was washed with sat. aq. sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 95:5:0.25 afforded the title compound (458 mg, 88%). Brown semisolid, MS: 446.1 (M+NH₄)⁺.

Step 2: 4-(Trifluoromethoxy)benzyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride

To a brown solution of 2-tert-butyl 5-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzyl) 4,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2,5(1H,3H)-dicarboxylate (452 mg, 1.06 mmol) in 2-propanol (3 mL) was added hydrochloric acid solution (5-6 M in 2-propanol, 5.91 mL, 29.5 mmol). The solution was stirred for 16 h, then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was triturated in tert-butyl methyl ether and the precipitate collected by filtration to produce the title compound (350 mg, 91%). Light brown solid, MS: 329.1 (M+H)⁺.

Intermediate 2

[2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5-yl)methanone Step 1: tert-butyl 5-(6-cyclopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-4-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate

To a solution of tert-butyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride (CAS-RN 1208929-16-1; 300 mg, 1.16 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (5 mL) were added 4-methylmorpholine (584 mg, 5.78 mmol), 6-cyclopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-4-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 150190-28-6; 218 mg, 1.16 mmol) and O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate (483 mg, 1.27 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 18 h, then partitioned between sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution and ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel, gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 90:10:0.25 produced the title compound (390 mg, 86%). White foam, MS: 372.2 (M+H)⁺.

Step 2: tert-Butyl 5-(2-cyclopropyl-6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methoxy)isonicotinoyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate

A mixture of tert-butyl 5-(6-cyclopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-4-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate (385 mg, 985 μmol), potassium carbonate (272 mg, 1.97 mmol) and 4-(iodomethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran (459 mg, 1.97 mmol) in acetonitrile (8 mL) was heated at 90° C. for 48 h, then partitioned between sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution and ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 95:5:0.25) to produce the title compound (390 mg, 84%). White foam, MS: 470.3 (M+H)⁺.

Step 3: [2-Cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5-yl)methanone

Trifluoroacetic acid (1.41 g, 12.3 mmol) was added at room temperature to a solution of tert-butyl 5-(2-cyclopropyl-6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methoxy)isonicotinoyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate (386 mg, 822 μmol) in dichloromethane (8 mL), then after 5 h the solution was concentrated and the residue partitioned between dichloromethane and 2 M aq. sodium hydroxide solution. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to produce the title compound (298 mg, 98%). Off-white foam, MS: 370.2 (M+H)⁺.

The following intermediate was produced in analogy to intermediate 2 replacing 4-(iodomethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran by the appropriate halide.

Ex. Systematic Name Halide MS, m/e 2.01 [2-(cyclohexylmethoxy)-6- (iodomethyl)cyclohexane (CAS-RN 368.3 cyclopropylpyridin-4-yl]-(2,3,4,6- 5469-33-0) (M + H)⁺ tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone Intermediate 3

3-[2-[(5-Methyltetrazol-2-yl)methyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(2,3,4,6-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5-yl)propan-1-one Step 1: tert-Butyl 5-(3-(2-((5-methyl-2H-tetrazol-2-yl)methyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)propanoyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate

The title compound was produced in analogy to intermediate 2, step 1, replacing 6-cyclopropyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-4-carboxylic acid by 3-(2-((5-methyl-2H-tetrazol-2-yl)methyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)propanoic acid (CAS-RN 1646783-83-6). Light yellow gum, MS: 505.4 (M−H)⁻.

Step 2: 3-[2-[(5-Methyltetrazol-2-yl)methyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-(2,3,4,6-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5-yl)propan-1-one

Trifluoroacetic acid (1.84 g, 16.1 mmol) was added at room temperature to a solution of tert-butyl 5-(3-(2-((5-methyl-2H-tetrazol-2-yl)methyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)propanoyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate (573 mg, 1.07 mmol) in dichloromethane (5 mL), then after 4 h the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was taken up in dichloromethane, washed with 2 M aq. sodium hydroxide solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 95:5:0.25 to 90:10:0.25 produced the title compound (344 mg, 79%). Light yellow foam, MS: 407.2 (M+H)⁺.

The following intermediates were produced in analogy to intermediate 3 replacing 3-(2-((5-methyl-2H-tetrazol-2-yl)methyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)propanoic acid by the appropriate carboxylic acid.

No. Systematic Name Carboxylic acid MS, m/e 3.01 [2-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2- 2-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2- 354.2 trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]- trifluoroethoxy)pyridine-4-carboxylic (M + H)⁺ (2,3,4,6-tetrahydro-1H- acid (intermediate 8) pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone 3.02 [5-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2- 5-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2- 354.2 trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]- trifluoroethoxy)pyridine-3-carboxylic (M + H)⁺ (2,3,4,6-tetrahydro-1H- acid (CAS-RN 1427064-90-1) pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-5- yl)methanone Intermediate 4

(3-Pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate Hydrochloride Step 1: tert-Butyl 5-(chlorocarbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate

To a light brown mixture of tert-butyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride (CAS-RN 1208929-16-1; 800 mg, 3.08 mmol) and pyridine (1.34 g, 16.9 mmol) in dichloromethane (12 mL) was added dropwise a solution of triphosgene (411 mg, 1.39 mmol) in dichloromethane (7 mL) at 0° C. After 30 min the ice-bath was removed, then after 1 h the reaction mixture was partitioned between 1 M aq. hydrochloric acid solution and dichloromethane. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to afford the title compound (844 mg, 100%). Yellow solid, MS: 217.0 (M+H-isobutene)⁺.

Step 2: 2-tert-Butyl 5-((3-pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl) 4,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2,5(1H,3H)-dicarboxylate

To a solution of tert-butyl 5-(chlorocarbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate (834 mg, 3.06 mmol) in acetonitrile (60 mL) was added N-(2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)pivalamide (intermediate 9; 650 mg, 2.35 mmol) and PS-BEMP (CAS-RN 1446424-86-7; 2.58 g). The orange suspension was heated to reflux and stirred for 68 h. The insoluble solid was filtered off and washed with acetonitrile. PS-Trisamine (CAS-RN 1226492-10-9; 860 mg, 2.35 mmol) was added to the filtrate and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h, then insoluble material was removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 95:5:0.25 afforded the title compound (935 mg, 78%). Light yellow foam, MS: 513.2 (M+H)⁺.

Step 3: (3-Pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate Hydrochloride

To a light yellow solution of 2-tert-butyl 5-((3-pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl) 4,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2,5(1H,3H)-dicarboxylate (925 mg, 1.80 mmol) in 2-propanol (5 mL) was added hydrochloric acid (5-6 M in 2-propanol, 10.1 mL, 50.5 mmol) at room temperature, then after 14 h the solution was evaporated and the residue triturated in tert-butyl methyl ether. The precipitate was collected by filtration to afford the title compound (762 mg, 94%). Light brown solid, MS: 411.3 (M−H)⁻.

The following intermediates were produced in analogy to intermediate 4 replacing tert-butyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride by the appropriate amine and N-(2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)pivalamide by the appropriate alcohol.

No. Systematic Name Amine/alcohol MS, m/e 4.01 (3-pivalamido-5- tert-butyl 3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-2,6- 439.4 (trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2- naphthyridine-2(1H)-carboxylate (CAS- (M − H)⁻ yl)methyl 3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydro- RN 1528909-20-7)/N-(2- 2,6-naphthyridine-2(1H)- (hydroxymethyl)-5- carboxylate hydrochloride (trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3- yl)pivalamide (intermediate 9) 4.02 (5-chloro-3-pivalamidopyridin-2- tert-butyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4- 377.3 yl)methyl 3,4,5,6- c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate (M − H)⁻ tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole- hydrochloride (CAS-RN 1208929-16-1)/ 2(1H)-carboxylate N-(5-chloro-2- dihydrochloride (hydroxymethyl)pyridin-3- yl)pivalamide (intermediate 9.01) 4.03 [5,6-dichloro-3-(2,2- tert-butyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4- 411.3 dimethylpropanoylamino)pyridin- c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate (M − H)⁻ 2-yl]methyl 2,3,4,6-tetrahydro- hydrochloride (CAS-RN 1208929-16-1)/ 1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5- N-[5,6-dichloro-2- carboxylate hydrochloride (hydroxymethyl)pyridin-3-yl]-2,2- dimethylpropanamide (intermediate 9.02) Intermediate 5

1-(1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl)piperidine-4-sulfonamide Hydrochloride Step 1: tert-Butyl 5-(4-sulfamoylpiperidine-1-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-2-carboxylate

The title compound was produced in analogy to example 1 replacing (3-pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl)methyl 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate hydrochloride (intermediate 4) by piperidine-4-sulfonamide hydrochloride (CAS-RN 1251923-46-2) and (R)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-carboxylic acid by 2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-5-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 1049874-41-0). White foam, MS: 398.3 (M−H)⁻.

Step 2: 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl)piperidine-4-sulfonamide Hydrochloride

The title compound was produced in analogy to intermediate 1, step 2 replacing 2-tert-butyl 5-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzyl) 4,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2,5(1H,3H)-dicarboxylate by tert-butyl 5-(4-sulfamoylpiperidine-1-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-2-carboxylate. Light red solid, MS: 300.1 (M+H)⁺.

The following intermediate was produced in analogy to intermediate 5 replacing piperidine-4-sulfonamide hydrochloride by the appropriate amine.

No. Systematic Name Starting material MS, m/e 5.01 1,2,3,4,5,6- 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H- 260.1 hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrrol-5- [1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-c]pyridine (M + H)⁺ yl(1,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5- (CAS-RN 706757-05-3) c]pyridin-5-yl)methanone hydrochloride Intermediate 6

4-Fluoro-N,N-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]piperidine-4-sulfonamide Hydrochloride Step 1: tert-butyl 4-[bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]sulfamoyl]piperidine-1-carboxylate

To a solution of tert-butyl 4-sulfamoylpiperidine-1-carboxylate (CAS-RN 1415929-10-0; 995 mg, 3.39 mmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (10 mL) was added sodium hydride (285 mg, 7.11 mmol). The light yellow suspension was stirred for 15 min at room temperature and then 1-(chloromethyl)-4-methoxy-benzene (CAS-RN 824-94-2; 1.05 g, 6.44 mmol) was added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 3 h, then poured onto ice and acidified with sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. Then the organic phase was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 100:5:0.25 afforded the title compound (1.53 g, 89%). White solid, MS: 527.3 (M+Na)⁺.

Step 2: tert-Butyl 4-[bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]sulfamoyl]-4-fluoro-piperidine-1-carboxylate

A clear, colourless solution of tert-butyl 4-[bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]sulfamoyl]piperidine-1-carboxylate (909 mg, 1.80 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (15 mL) was cooled to −70° C. and butyllithium solution (1.6 M in hexane; 1.35 ml, 2.16 mmol) was slowly added. The colour changed to light red and the reaction was stirred at −70° C. for 30 min. Then a solution of N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide (CAS-RN 133745-75-2; 625 mg, 1.98 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (7 mL) was slowly added at below −70° C. After stirring for 2 h the colour changed to yellow and sat. aq. sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and water were slowly added to stop the reaction. Ethyl acetate was added and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane/heptane 4:1 to dichloromethane) afforded the title compound (707 mg, 75%). Off white solid, MS: 545.3 (M+Na)⁺.

Step 3: 4-fluoro-N,N-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]piperidine-4-sulfonamide Hydrochloride

The title compound was produced in analogy to intermediate 1, step 2 replacing 2-tert-butyl 5-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzyl) 4,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2,5(1H,3H)-dicarboxylate by tert-butyl 4-[bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]sulfamoyl]-4-fluoro-piperidine-1-carboxylate. White solid, MS: 423.2 (M+H)⁺.

Intermediate 7

tert-Butyl 5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-2-carboxylate

Oxalyl chloride (72.9 mg, 563 μmol) was added to a solution of 2-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-5-carboxylic acid (CAS-RN 1049874-41-0; 100 mg, 375 μmol) in dichloromethane (2 mL) at 0° C. Then a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylformamide (1.3 mg, 18 μmol) was added and the ice-bath was removed. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature. This solution was slowly added to a stirring suspension of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol hydrochloride (CAS-RN 64603-91-4; 66.2 mg, 375 μmol) in N,N-dimethylformamide (2 mL) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (485 mg, 3.75 mmol) at 0° C. After 10 min the ice-bath was removed and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 40 h. The mixture was poured onto sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution and extracted several times with dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol 9:1) afforded the title compound (77 mg, 55%). White foam, MS: 320.1 (M+H-isobutene)⁺.

Intermediate 8

2-Cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)isonicotinic Acid Step 1: Methyl 2-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridine-4-carboxylate

The title compound was produced in analogy to intermediate 2, step 2, replacing 4-(iodomethyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran by 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (CAS-RN 6226-25-1). White solid, MS: 276.1 (M+H)⁺.

Step 2: 2-Cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)isonicotinic Acid

To a colourless solution of methyl 2-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridine-4-carboxylate (255 mg, 927 μmol) in tetrahydrofuran (2.5 mL) and ethanol (2.5 mL) was added a 1M aq. lithium hydroxide monohydrate solution (CAS-RN 1310-66-3; 1.85 mmol). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 6 h, then poured onto ice and acidified with 2 M aq. hydrochloric acid solution to pH 1. The aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate. Then the organic phase was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to produce the title compound (217 mg, 90%). White solid, MS: 260.1 (M−H)⁻.

Intermediate 9

N-(2-(Hydroxymethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)pivalamide Step 1: Methyl 3-pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)picolinate

To a brown solution of methyl 3-amino-5-(trifluoromethyl)picolinate (CAS-RN 866775-17-9; 2.00 g, 8.63 mmol) in pyridine (25 mL) was added pivaloyl chloride (2.08 g, 17.3 mmol) at 0° C. After 20 min the ice-bath was removed. After stirring at room temperature for 5 h the reaction mixture was partitioned between 1 M aq. hydrochloric acid solution and ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient dichloromethane to dichloromethane/methanol/25% aq. ammonia solution 100:5:0.25) afforded the title compound (2.46 g, 92%). Light yellow solid, MS: 305.1 (M+H)⁺.

Step 2: N-(2-(Hydroxymethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-3-yl)pivalamide

To a clear light yellow solution of methyl 3-pivalamido-5-(trifluoromethyl)picolinate (2.45 g, 8.05 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (60 mL) was added a solution of calcium chloride (1.79 g, 16.1 mmol) and ethanol (60 mL), then sodium borohydride (914 mg, 24.2 mmol) was added in 3 portions over a period of 30 min. The white suspension was stirred for 90 min at room temperature, then partitioned between ethyl acetate and sat. aq. ammonium chloride solution. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated. Chromatography (silica gel; gradient heptane/ethyl acetate 4:1 to 1:1) afforded the title compound (1.97 g, 89%). Light yellow viscous oil, MS: 277.1 (M+H)⁺.

The following intermediates were produced in analogy to intermediate 9 replacing 3-amino-5-(trifluoromethyl)picolinate by the appropriate starting material.

No. Systematic Name Starting material MS, m/e 9.01 N-(5-chloro-2-(hydroxymethyl)- 3-amino-5-chloro-2- 243.2 pyridin-3-yl)pivalamide pyridinecarboxylic acid methyl (M + H)⁺ ester (CAS-RN 866775-11-3) 9.02 N-[5,6-dichloro-2- methyl 3-amino-5,6-dichloro- 277.1 (hydroxymethyl)pyridin-3-yl]-2,2- pyridine-2-carboxylate (CAS-RN (M + H)⁺ dimethylpropanamide 1807004-89-2)

Example A

A compound of formula (I) can be used in a manner known per se as the active ingredient for the production of tablets of the following composition:

Per tablet Active ingredient 200 mg Microcrystalline cellulose 155 mg Corn starch  25 mg Talc  25 mg Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose  20 mg 425 mg

Example B

A compound of formula (I) can be used in a manner known per se as the active ingredient for the production of capsules of the following composition:

Per capsule Active ingredient 100.0 mg Corn starch  20.0 mg Lactose  95.0 mg Talc  4.5 mg Magnesium stearate  0.5 mg 220.0 mg 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (I)

wherein: R¹ is substituted phenyl, substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted pyridinyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted thiophenyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl or substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, wherein substituted phenyl, substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted pyridinyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted thiophenyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl and substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl are substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵; Y is —OC(O)— or —C(O)—; W is —C(O)—, —S(O)₂— or —CR⁶R⁷—; R² is selected from the ring systems B, F, L, M, O, Z, AF, AG, A, AJ, AN, AO, AP, AQ, AR, AS, AT, AU, AV, AW, AX, AY, AZ, BA, BB, BC and BD;

R³ is halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkylamino, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₃₋₈-cycloalkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or heterocycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy; R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₃₋₈-cycloalkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl and heterocycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy; R⁶ is H or C₁₋₆-alkyl; R⁷ is H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, halogen, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy; m, n, p and q are independently 1 or 2; and r is 1, 2 or 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein: R¹ is substituted phenyl, substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted pyridinyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted thiophenyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl or substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, wherein substituted phenyl, substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted phenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted pyridinyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl, substituted pyridinyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl, substituted thiophenyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkenyl and substituted thiophenyl-C₂₋₆-alkynyl are substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵; Y is —OC(O)— or —C(O)—; W is —C(O)—, —S(O)₂— or —R⁶R⁷—; R² is selected from the ring systems B, F, L, M, O, Z, AF, AG, AH, AJ, AN, AO, AP, AQ, AR, AS, AT, AU and AV;

R³ is halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkylamino, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₃₋₈-cycloalkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or heterocycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy; R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl, hydroxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkoxy-C₁₋₆-alkyl, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₃₋₈-cycloalkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl and heterocycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy; R⁶ is H or C₁₋₆-alkyl; R⁷ is H, C₁₋₆-alkyl, halogen, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy; m, n, p and q are independently 1 or 2; and r is 1, 2 or 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 3. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl or substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, wherein substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl and substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl are substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵; Y is —OC(O)— or —C(O)—; W is —C(O)— or CR⁶R⁷; R² is selected from the ring systems M, O, Z, AJ, AN, AO, AP, AW, AX, AY, AZ, B, BA, BB, BC and BD; R³ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy; R⁴ is H, halogen, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl; R is H or halogen; R⁶ is H or C₁₋₆-alkyl; R⁷ is H; m, n, p and q are 1; and r is 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl or substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, wherein substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl and substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl are substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵; Y is —OC(O)— or —C(O)—; W is —C(O)—; R² is selected from the ring systems M, O, Z, AJ, AN and AO; R³ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy; R⁴ is H, halogen, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl; R⁵ is H; R⁶ is C₁₋₆-alkyl; R⁷ is H; m, n, p and q are 1; and r is 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R¹ is substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl or substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, wherein substituted phenyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl, substituted pyridinyl and substituted pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl are substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵.
 6. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R¹ is pyridinyl or pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵.
 7. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Y is —OC(O)—.
 8. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R² is selected from the ring systems M, O, Z, AJ, AN, AO, AP, AW, AX, AY, AZ, B, BA, BB, BC and BD.
 9. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R² is selected from the ring systems M, O, Z, AJ, AN and AO.
 10. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R² is selected from the ring systems M, AJ and AO.
 11. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R³ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy.
 12. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R³ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, C₁₋₆-alkyltetrazolyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl or tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy.
 13. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R³ is C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino, or tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy.
 14. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁴ is H, halogen, halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl.
 15. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁴ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl.
 16. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁵ is H or halogen.
 17. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁶ is H or C₁₋₆-alkyl.
 18. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R⁷ is H.
 19. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein m, n, p and q are
 1. 20. A compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein r is
 1. 21. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is pyridinyl or pyridinyl-C₁₋₆-alkyl substituted by R³, R⁴ and R⁵; Y is —OC(O)—; W is —C(O)—; R² is selected from the ring systems M, AJ and AO; R³ is C₁₋₆-alkylcarbonylamino or tetrahydropyranyl-C₁₋₆-alkoxy; R⁴ is halo-C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl; R⁵ is H; R⁷ is H; and m, n, p and q are 1; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 22. A compound selected from the group consisting of: [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 2-[(5R)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; 6-(5-(2-cyclopropyl-6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methoxy)isonicotinoyl)-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2-carbonyl)-1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one; [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-[(5R)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(1,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 2-(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; 4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzyl 5-(1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole-5-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate; 1-[5-(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-3-[2-[(5-methyltetrazol-2-yl)methyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propan-1-one; [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 6-(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,5,7,8-hexahydro-2,6-naphthyridine-2-carboxylate; [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 2-(1,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; and [5-chloro-3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 2-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 23. A compound selected from the group consisting of: [5,6-dichloro-3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 2-(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; [5-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-(3-hydroxy-1,2-benzoxazol-6-yl)methanone; 6-[5-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2-carbonyl]-1,1-dioxo-1,2-benzothiazol-3-one; 1-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]piperidine-4-sulfonamide; [5,6-dichloro-3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 2-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 2-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; 6-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-2,5,7,8-tetrahydropyrido[3,4-d]pyridazin-1-one; [2-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; 1-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]-3-[2-[(5-methyltetrazol-2-yl)methyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]propan-1-one; [5-cyclopropyl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetrahydropyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-6,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; 7-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-5,6,8,8a-tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-a]pyrazine-1,3-dione; [2-(cyclohexylmethoxy)-6-cyclopropylpyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; 6-[[5-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methyl]-3H-1,3-benzoxazol-2-one; and 1-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-4-fluoropiperidine-4-sulfonamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 24. A compound of claim 22, selected from the group consisting of: [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-[(5R)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; [3-(2,2-dimethylpropanoylamino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl 2-(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carboxylate; and [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 25. A compound selected from the group consisting of: (1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methyl 5-(2-cyclopropyl-6-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methoxy)isonicotinoyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-2(1H)-carboxylate; 7-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-1,3,4,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]-2,5,6,8-tetrahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazin-3-one; 1-[2-[2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridine-4-carbonyl]-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrole-5-carbonyl]piperidine-4-sulfonamide; [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(1,4,6,7-tetrahydrotriazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-5-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; and [2-cyclopropyl-6-(oxan-4-ylmethoxy)pyridin-4-yl]-[5-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dihydro-4H-[1,2]oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-6-carbonyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-1H-cyclopenta[c]pyrrol-2-yl]methanone; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 26. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a therapeutically inert carrier.
 27. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 22, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a therapeutically inert carrier.
 28. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 23, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a therapeutically inert carrier.
 29. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 25, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a therapeutically inert carrier.
 30. A method for the treatment of an ocular condition, wherein the ocular condition is glaucoma, the method comprising administering an effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 31. A process to prepare a compound according to claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprising the reaction of a compound of formula (II) in the presence of a compound of formula (III):

wherein W is —C(O)—. 